BREAKING:LeBron James Lakers Stun Clippers With Late Rally
LeBron James Lakers’ late comeback stuns the Clippers.
The visiting Los Angeles Lakers defeated the struggling Los Angeles Clippers 116–112 on Wednesday, coming back from a 21-point hole in the fourth quarter to score 19 of LeBron James’ 34 points and end with 12 rebounds and 20 points.
The Lakers defeated the Clippers for the third time in four games and took the season series for the first time since 2011–12 behind 18 points from D’Angelo Russell and 17 from Rui Hachimura. Before this season, the Clippers had won 11 straight games against the opposition.
In the fourth quarter, James made 7 of 12 shots from the field, including 5 of 8 from 3-point range. During the first three quarters, he was 2 of 4 from long range. In the last frame, James scored three points more than the Clippers.
The teams’ final regular-season matchup as co-tenants of Crypto.com Arena, formerly Staples Center, saw the comeback. Since 1999 to 2000, the team has shared the building. Next season, the Clippers will relocate to the adjacent Inglewood, California, site of the new Intuit Dome.
The Clippers suffered their fifth straight loss in their previous eight games despite having 26 points from Kawhi Leonard and 23 from James Harden. With seven seconds left, Leonard had a chance to level the score, but his attempt over James went short.
For the second straight game, the Clippers were missing Paul George (knee), as Terance Mann scored 16 points and Norman Powell added 14. Ivica Zubac was also absent due to sickness.
The Clippers led by no fewer than nine points in the third quarter and took a 96-77 lead into the final period. The advantage went to 21 points early in the fourth, but a 19-3 run brought the Lakers within 101-96 with 7:33 remaining on a James drive to the basket.